GRub Problem

[The PIT]

After an Kernel Upgrade any reason why this won't boot the default menu choice.
Hitting the keyboard and Debian will launch otherwise it'll sit there all day and do nothing.
Menu list below.


# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 5

# Pretty colours
color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specifiv kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
# kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(recovery mode) single
# altoptions=(recovery mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## ## End Default Options ##

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.4.27-3-686
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.27-3-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.4.27-3-686
savedefault
boot

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.4.27-3-686 (recovery mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.27-3-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.4.27-3-686
boot

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

[WxDude]

Hi PIT,

This sure is a strange one. I'm not real familiar with debian's grub (gotta get that kubuntu box
running) but there are some differences from a RedHat grub.conf.

Do you need the "savedefault" line in the non recovery entry?

Did you try to reinstall grub (grub-install /dev/hda from a live/rescue cd that chroot's your root filesystem on the hard drive?

- Mike

[The PIT]

Haven't tried a repair job as yet as I can't see anything wrong with the file. The problem only happens if you update the kernel. I've got to take a peak at the orginal list which I haven't had a chance to do today as the other working computers are going to be used for an open day.

[spadnos]

The only thing I see as functionally different from my menu.lst is that I have the option "hiddenmenu" set.

That makes a message appear "press ESC to see menu or the system will boot in ## seconds" (or similar). It shouldn't be necessary, but may fix the problem.

That option shows a countdown, so you should see pretty quickly if it's working.

-Steve

[TnT]

Can't see anything wrong, but here's mine in comparison because it's a lot simpler (I'm using Gentoo):

# Which listing to boot as default. 0 is the first, 1 the second etc.
default 1
# How many seconds to wait before the default listing is booted.
timeout 5
# Nice, fat splash-image to spice things up
# Comment out if you don't have a graphics card installed
#splashimage=(hd0,0)/boot/grub/splash.xpm.gz

title=Gentoo Linux 2.6.17
# Partition where the kernel image (or operating system) is located
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/kernel-2.6.17-r4 root=/dev/sda3

title=Gentoo Linux 2.6.17 SMP
# Partition where the kernel image (or operating system) is located
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/kernel-2.6.17-r4-smp root=/dev/sda3

[Technoid]

since you have ro specified i ass()ume you arnt using ext2 on the drive?

then the question is if the fs support is still in the kernell....

[The PIT]

since you have ro specified i ass()ume you arnt using ext2 on the drive?

then the question is if the fs support is still in the kernell....

I'm using whatever Debain decides to use on the default install option.

The machine boots if you manually select either option so I doubt that it's a kernel problem.